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RONAN FAGAN Athlone Advertiser, Thu, Jul 12, 2018

Fast becoming the software industry hub of the country, Athlone received a significant jobs boost this week with news that 200 jobs are to be created by the privately owned company, Neueda Technologies, over the next four years.

Established in 2002, the IT training, development and consulting services company, who will provide digital solutions for clients, presently employs 70 personnel at its base in the Shannon Retail Park on the east side of Athlone and hopes to expand on that figure by the end of the year.

Speaking at the formal announcement, at which Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Heather Humphreys TD, was in attendance, Neueda Technologies CEO, Mr. David Cole, expressed his gratitude to the relevant authorities, both locally and nationally, who had assisted greatly in the process of bringing the company to Athlone.

“We started the process last September, announced our planning intentions in December and it has been a thoroughly exceptional experience from a customer service perspective,” Mr. Cole noted, making particular reference to the assistance received from IDA Executive Director, Ms. Mary Buckley.

Lauding the jobs development in his home town, Deputy Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD, Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, enthused greatly upon the decision made by Neueda Technologies to chose Athlone as its base.

“This is a substantial investment by Neueda Technologies and demonstrates a considerable commitment to Athlone and the Midlands region. I am confident that David and his team will find employees within the region who possess the necessary skills and the dedication to contribute to the future success of this growing company,” the Minister noted.

Noting the importance of encouraging industries into the region, the Minister stated that he has been driven by a particular aim since entering politics.

“I am determined to improve the quality of life for people from all sections of the community and I cannot think of a better way to do so than helping to create the conditions which attracts investment and bring jobs to this region,” Minister Moran added.

Wishing Neueda Technologies every success for the future, Minister Moran hoped that the development would encourage other industries to choose the Midlands region as a focal point for their business.

“My hope is that Neueda Technologies would act as a reference sellers to other companies, leading to further projects for the Midlands. ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ now markets the Midlands offering to tourists, but we don’t want our ‘Heartlands’ to be hidden – we want everyone to know what a rich offering it is,” the Minister concluded.